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For a considerable period of time it looked as though Wolves would fail to bring a striker to Molineux.However, that changed on Wednesday afternoon after news emerged from Spain.

What’s the word?

According to news from Ser Deportivos, relayed by journalist Tim Spiers, Wolves are on the verge of signing Willian Jose from Real Sociedad.

He claims that Wolves have acted quickly after losing their last two games and are now trying to bring the 29-year-old to Molineux on loan.

The deal is set to include an option to buy the striker in the summer but according to Fabrizio Romano, there are still terms to be agreed.

He reveals that the loan fee and option to buy price is to be negotiated over the coming days.

Perfect Jimenez replacement

If you could cherry-pick the best Raul Jimenez replacements from around Europe then it is incredibly likely that Jose would appear high up on the list.

Jimenez, of course, has been missing for a while now after sustaining a fractured skull against Arsenal and since he’s been absent, the club have won just two of their last ten games.

Signing a new forward, especially one who matches the qualities of Jimenez, was absolutely imperative.

Jose is a natural goal scorer and he proved as much just hours after being linked with Wolves on Wednesday. The Brazilian netted two goals in a 2-0 victory over Cordoba in the Copa del Rey, one of which included a lovely crisp strike from the edge of the area.

Spiers describes Jose as a “Giroud-type striker†and it’s clear to see why based on the stats, a set of numbers that make him comparable to Jimenez.

For starters, there is just an inch in height between them, while they win a similar number of aerial duels per game. Wolves’ Mexican sensation has won 1.5 aerial battles a match in the Premier League this term compared to Jose’s tally of 1.1.

Though, he brings further elements of power according to Terry Gibson who said the following a few years ago: “WillianÂJose is the type of striker who could flourish in the Premier League. He’s been linked with Premier League clubs in the past. He’s physical, very fast, is improving season-by-season and is now an accomplished centre forward.”

When signing a striker, supporters will often look towards their goal record and they needn’t fear about the Sociedad forward’s record in that regard.

He has scored 62 in 170 for the Spanish club – six of which have come in 2020/21. It’s not the most eye-catching number this term, but the £34k-per-week earner is a very capable and physical striker.

AND in other news, Time’s up: Wolves must wield the axe on £62.9k-p/w flop, he’s ransacked Shi’s pockets…

Football finance guru Kieran Maguire has shed light on Tottenham Hotspur majority owner Joe Lewis’ feelings about Daniel Levy’s performance as Spurs chairman and the north London club’s financial performance.

Maguire addressed this topic while speaking to Football Insider, who asked him whether or not the Spurs chairman ‘deserves his wage.’

Tottenham Hotspur’s financial performance

Maguire responded to that question by saying of Levy, that “he has been responsible” for Spurs producing “phenomenal numbers” in terms of their wages-to-turnover ratio over the past four years and guiding the club to a position where they are “likely to be the biggest earners in the Premier League in terms of matchday revenue” when fans can return to grounds, thanks to their new stadium.

Maguire’s Lewis claim

As a result of that, Maguire answered this question on whether Levy ‘deserves his wage’ with a resounding yes, with the finance expert going on to state that the Lilywhites owner is actually “very happy” with paying Levy as much as he does.

Transfer Tavern take

If the view of Levy behind the scenes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is as Maguire has suggested, with the chairman being credited with “turning Spurs into a big club,” then perhaps it’s not a massive surprise that Lewis is allegedly happy with the chairman’s wages, as it seems like he’s playing a pivotal role in getting Tottenham to deliver impressive performances from a financial standpoint.

With Spurs about to become “the biggest earners in the Premier League in terms of matchday revenue” when fans return to stadiums following the pandemic, seemingly thanks in no small part to the work that Levy spearheaded with their new stadium, perhaps Tottenham could be set to produce even more impressive financial performances in the future and that could be an exciting prospect for fans of the north London club and those behind the scenes, including owner Lewis.

So, it may not be a big surprise, with all of that to look forward to, that Lewis isn’t stressing about Levy’s big wages.

In other news, Alli has dropped a public hint on his frustration towards Levy and Jose Mourinho. 

Sunderland fans were far from happy with comments from Max Power after their side’s 2-1 defeat to Shrewsbury on Tuesday.

The Black Cats actually took the lead through Aiden O’Brien, but that was as good as it got for the north-east side. Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Harry Chapman netted in the second-half to earn the Shrews all three points – the result sees Sunderland remain outside the play-off spots.

After the match, captain Power was interviewed by the club’s media team. He mentioned that many teams see Sunderland as a big scalp, insinuating that they are more motivated when playing the Wearside outfit than other teams.

Power has come in for criticism in the past (Football League World), and this was another opportunity for the fans to let their feelings on the £540,000-valued midfielder (Transfermarkt) be known. The video was shared on the club’s official Twitter account, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Power below

“Yey another season in League One.”

Credit: @PAJUK19

“No words, too long been a Black Cat, seen the highs and lows”

Credit: @DeBradley2

“Even if it it’s true, and there may be something to it, Sunderland AFC know and expect this and should be able to deal with it. To trot this line out time after time, now for the third season in a row, is admitting that this squad is incapable of dealing with it.”

Credit: @VinnytheMackem

“Captain Clueless”

Credit: @1879SAFC

“Still not taking ownership I see. Still playing the opposition raise their game against Sunderland card. We’re a big scalp etc.. Rubbish. We’re a mid table L1 side now and have been for 3 seasons, accept it and take ownership of your own performance. Mindset all wrong.”

Credit: @SAFC_73

“He is just the meaning of disappointing, one of them players who just hoofs the ball forward never adds anything to the team”

Credit: @RCawley01

In other news, Sunderland fans slammed this man against Shrewsbury.

According to Football Insider, Everton are eager to complete the permanent signing of Josh King this summer.

Toffees want King

King moved to Goodison Park on loan from Bournemouth during the January transfer window and has so far made five appearances in the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti (Transfermarkt).

This report suggests that the Toffees are already eager to sign the 29-year-old permanently, with the Merseyside outfit already parting with £2m to sign him on a temporary basis.

Solid back-up

Although he has yet to score for his new club, King should provide solid back-up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. With the Cherries, he managed 48 goals in the Premier League, and has picked up 65 goals during his professional career.

However, he is unlikely to ever be a regular starter – if Everton  want to reach the Champions League, they will need more quality than what King has to offer. As such, Marcel Brands must make sure he negotiates a price which matches the status the Norway international will have in the squad. If he does that, King could be a very valuable player for Everton for a good few years to come.

In other news, some Everton fans were far from happy with the performance of one man during their 1-0 victory over Southampton on Monday.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans are absolutely delighted with comments from Alfredo Morelos after the Gers confirmed their status as Premiership champions.

The celebrations are in full flow in Glasgow after the Gers picked up their 55th league title over the weekend. They didn’t even need to do it themselves on Sunday as Celtic’s failure to beat Dundee United was enough to get them over the line. In truth, this has been a formality for weeks, if not months, and there are still six league matches to play this season (BBC).

After the confirmation, the Gers’ media team were working around the clock to speak to as many people associated with this triumph as possible. £10.8m-valued Colombia international Morelos rarely gives interviews, but he spoke after the title was confirmed to share his delight.

These Gers supporters were absolutely delighted to see him speak, and they took to social media to share their thoughts on the 24-year-old’s words after they were shared on the 55-time Scottish champions’ official Twitter account.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Morelos below

“WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR IT”

Credit: @SirFlanno

“I love you never leave”

Credit: @efan1872

“Cheers Rangers, that’s me greeting again”

Credit: @Razged1990

“The tweet that broke me for the 10000th time today”

Credit: @cee_geri

“Too much bro. Losing my mind here.”

Credit: @ChrisMillington

“here’s what we’ve all been waiting for”

Credit: @stuart723

In other news, one talkSPORT pundit says Rangers are just a “stepping stone” for this Gers man.

Many Rangers fans have been left to slam the display of Joe Aribo despite their 1-0 win over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening.

The Ibrox faithful clinched all three points right at the end of the game thanks to a goal from Alfredo Morelos, who was controversially booked for simulation in the first half.

Steven Gerrard consulted the officials at half time and was consequently sent off for his protests, but that did not matter in the end as the Glasgow club managed to get the vital win and edge closer to the title.

However, while there were some very good performances in a Gers shirt, Aribo’s flattered to deceive several of the supporters.

The former Charlton Athletic man lost out on no fewer than seven of his duels, and also failed to record a single shot, accurate cross or long ball (Sofascore).

He also lost possession of the ball 23 times, and given that he registered 59 touches of the ball in total (Sofascore), that means the 24-year-old lost it roughly every 2.6 touches on average.

Rangers fan reaction to Aribo display

These Rangers fans slammed his performance on Twitter, with a few supporters even going as far to say that the Nigeria international was ‘terrible’:

“Aribo been incredibly poor”

Credit: @UNCHAINEDMENTAL

“Aribo has been terrible”

Credit: @Alan_Paton2020

“Get Aribo off man. He’s been terrible.”

Credit: @scotteldxr

“Why is Joe Aribo sitting 3 yards in front of the defence when we are attacking? Him and Kent are outrageously frustrating.”

Credit: @RabVanLadMan

“Aribo off for Hagi, just nothing coming off for him tonight and Itten for Morelos as he now looks scared to make any contact as he knows refs out for him”

Credit: @StephenLouch

“Has Aribo ever played well in a front 3?”

Credit: @MichaelMasson1

In other news, find out whose display was also slammed against Livingston here!

Amidst Rangers’ first Scottish Premiership title win in ten years, the inevitable debate revolving around Steven Gerrard and the managerial hotseat at Liverpool soon followed.

There have previously been suggestions that FSG could be lining up the former Reds’ midfielder for the role at Anfield should Jurgen Klopp depart in the near future.

Despite former Reds’ hero Mark Lawrenson stating that the 40-year-old is “not ready” for the job, it could soon be time for Gerrard to take his fledgling coaching career to the next level.

Initially, it is clear that the former midfielder has had a dramatic impact on Rangers. Appointed in June 2018, he has transformed the Glasgow outfit from a side perennially in the shadow of fierce rivals to one capable of toppling the Hoops’ monopoly in Scotland.

Their first title in ten years then is a remarkable achievement, highlighted by Gerrard’s “emotional” response at the team’s coronation.

Whilst not the strongest league in Europe, the way he has gone about getting Rangers back to the top has been impressive.

The Gers have been unstoppable this season, currently undefeated after 32 matches of the campaign, a fantastic achievement regardless of the league.

Their goalscoring has also been comparable to Liverpool in their title-winning season. The likes of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and James Tavernier have helped the club to a stunning record of 77 goals in just 32 matches at a rate of 2.4 per game.

This style of play would surely go down extremely well at Anfield considering the attacking talents on offer at the club.

On the topic of the Reds, it could soon be the perfect time to make a change.

The reigning Premier League champions have faltered in their title defence, leading to rumours Jurgen Klopp could depart. Of course, it would be a sad end to a fruitful relationship between the German and the Merseysiders but a managerial switch could be a necessity at the club in the near future if things don’t show signs of improvement.

Liverpool would certainly have to take caution in appointing a former hero after Frank Lampard’s sacking at Chelsea proved that hiring a young ex-player doesn’t always work.

However, with more patience compared to Roman Abramovich’s ruthless approach at Stamford Bridge, the Reds could see Gerrard thrive at Anfield at some point in the near future.

AND in more news, have a look at why the Reds must also bring Danny Ings back to Anfield…

Crystal Palace have reportedly become the latest club to register an interest in Hatayspor striker Aaron Boupendza.

According to 90.com, the Eagles have been monitoring the Gabon international, alongside a host of fellow Premier League sides, namely Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Leicester City and West Ham United, amongst many others.

Steve Parish and the Palace hierarchy need to ensure that they push themselves to the front of the queue and secure the £6.3m-rated striker in the summer.

Boupendza is currently in lethal form for Hatayspor. He sits top of the Turkish Super Lig scoring charts with 18 goals in just 26 matches. That record is even more remarkable considering that the 24-year-old has started just 16 matches in the league this term.

He would certainly bring a distinct eye for goal to Selhurst Park should he sign for the Eagles, an aspect that Roy Hodgson’s current options are certainly missing.

Of the strikers currently at the club, Christian Benteke is the highest-scoring with a measly five strikes. Meanwhile, fellow forwards Jordan Ayew, Michy Batshuayi and Jean-Philippe Mateta all sit on just one goal each.

It goes without saying then that the Eagles need to bring in someone capable of finding the back of the net.

When comparing his match statistics, Boupendza continues to come out on top.

According to WhoScored, he attempts more shots per game than any of Crystal Palace’s current players with 2.8.

Remarkably, the striker also completes a huge 2.7 dribbles per game which would be by far and away the best in the Eagles’ squad – an astounding feat considering the fleet-footedness of the likes of Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha.

It is no surprise then that there is considerable competition for his signature. Palace must make sure they push themselves to the front for him as they are in desperate need for a forward who can find the back of the net.

AND in more news, take a look at which former Premier League boss would be the perfect replacement for Roy Hodgson…

Jordan Henderson will almost certainly miss Liverpool’s upcoming Champions League games against Real Madrid through injury, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce.

The Reds have been hampered by injuries throughout this season, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Thiago and Diogo Jota all missing big chunks of action.

Although Jurgen Klopp’s injury woes have eased slightly – apart from at centre-back – Henderson is a current casualty, with the skipper absent since suffering a groin problem in the defeat to Everton last month.

[freshpress-quiz id=“343638″]

Pearce confirms Henderson injury blow

Pearce has now confirmed that the 30-year-old will play no part in the matches against Real Madrid as the two clubs meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The first leg takes place in Spain on April 6th, before Liverpool host the La Liga giants at Anfield on April 14th, in what promises to be a mouthwatering tie.

Pearce, who is renowned as one of the most reliable journalists on the club, wrote in The Atheltic:

‘With their injury problems at centre-back and the continued absence of captain Jordan Henderson, who is not expected back in time to face Madrid, Liverpool are weakened.’

Transfer Tavern take

Henderson’s absence is a huge concern ahead of two games of such magnitude as Liverpool look to avenge their 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

The captain’s energy, leadership and quality will all be missed, putting pressure on the likes of Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum and Thiago to excel without him against the Spanish giants.

In other news, many Liverpool fans have hailed an exceptional Reds talent after a moment of magic. Read all about it here.

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be lining up a replacement for Hugo Lloris ahead of the summer transfer window…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the north London outfit have set their sights on Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels as an alternative and cheaper option to Burnley’s Nick Pope.

Spurs’ top-flight rivals are demanding in excess of £30m for the England international, a fee they could well struggle to meet in the current financial climate, whilst Lloris’ future at the club remains uncertain amid interest from Paris Saint-Germain boss and ex-Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.

It’s claimed that the 6 foot 6 Belgian has been ‘watched extensively’ in recent months. CIES Football Observatory currently value the Wolfsburg vice-captain at just €20m (£18m), although it remains to be seen how much he’d command.

Lloris successor

The 34-year-old veteran has somewhat declined in the last 18 months or so, leading to scathing criticism in the press. There were several calamitous errors during an injury-hit season last term.

Two notable incidents came against Aston Villa and Brighton, where the vastly-experienced skipper dropped the ball for the opposition to score. Similar mistakes have occurred this campaign, too.

Speaking after Spurs’ FA Cup defeat to Everton, talkSPORT’s Trevor Sinclair brandished him “lettuce wrists” after letting in a tame strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whilst Jason Cundy went onto describe the Frenchman as their “weak link.”

Lloris will also be entering the final year of his current contract in the summer, so if Daniel Levy is to cash in on him, it has to be then.

Casteels is an intriguing option to succeed him in north London. Not only does he bear similar leadership attributes, as seen by him captaining Wolfsburg for 21 of his 30 appearances this season, but his sheer size would also offer something different in terms of aerial presence.

There’s no denying that Lloris has been a phenomenal shot-stopper over the years but, at a whopping 1.97m (6 foot 6), Casteels is a far more commanding presence in the box.

Indeed, Wolves managing director of sport Jorg Schmadtk believes the 28-year-old has “developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the world” and has lauded his character, adding (via Bulinews): “His quality and character are a huge support and a role model for the whole team.”

This season, Casteels has kept 12 clean sheets in 25 league appearances, in which he’s kept Bayer Leverkusen sensation Leon Bailey quiet, and adds to his five from the previous campaign.

In that season, the Belgian giant managed to silence reported Spurs target Marcel Sabitzer and his RB Leipzig team – Casteels, captain for the day, was Wolfburg’s top-rated player (7.9) as per SofaScore. He made four saves, two high claims and even managed a 77% passing accuracy despite 33 long ball attempts. Sabitzer had two shots on target and couldn’t find a way past the colossal Casteels.

On the above evidence, the one-cap shot-stopper would be a perfect – and necessary – replacement come the summer and, considering he’d be a far cheaper option than Pope, Levy must strike.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Lamela: Levy could strike gold by signing £35m-rated “creative leader”…